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2018 ABARTH 595: MORE POWER, FEWER DOLLARS

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The smallest hot hatches in Australia, the Abarth 595 and the full-on Abarth 595 Competizione have received extra power, a facelift, improved infotainment and added equipment. Prices have been trimmed as part of the revision of the Italian marque’s plan to lift its slowish sales downunder. Both models are powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, the Abarth 595 delivers 107 kW, in the Competizione is re-tuned to give 132 kW. Note that a Competizione with a 118 kW engine is no longer being imported to Australia. Smart move, it’s surely… Read more

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2018 MITSUBISHI ASX HAS MAJOR UPGRADES

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Midsize SUVs are running hot in the Australia market at the moment, with no signs of sales slowing. Mitsubishi is one of the earliest players in this field, the Pajero having been here for over 40 years. One of Pajeros smaller brothers, the Mitsubishi ASX is being upgraded for the 2018 season with advanced safety, added infotainment technology and a mild facelift. Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ front end has reshaped and now has integrated LED daytime running lamps and foglamp lower bezel. At the rear the ASX has a new bumper… Read more

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2017 NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-L REVIEW

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The X-Trail is a more than able soldier for Nissan accounting for most of the manufacturer’s sales in this country last year and the latest nip and tuck is likely to keep that momentum going. The updated model is offered with two petrol engines, with a diesel on its way, in manual or automatic, five or seven seats and two-wheel or four-wheel drive. You clearly won’t be short on choice then. Nissan X-Trail now also boasts a raft of new features without Nissan tinkering with the price. The ST-L we… Read more

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2018 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO: FIRST DETAILS

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Where else would Porsche hold the world premiere of its all-new third-generation Cayenne Turbo than at its home motor show, the IAA at Frankfurt? A new design 4.0-litre V8 engine with twin turbochargers has peak power output of 404 kW (550 hp). That’s up 22 kW (30 hp) on its predecessor. Maximum torque of 770 Nm is increase of 20 Nm. The new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic and active all-wheel-drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) permit a zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.9 seconds when used with the Sport… Read more

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NEW SUV HAS SUBARU RACING INTO THE LEAD

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It appears Subaru has backed a winner with the new XV, with sales of the small sports utility vehicle up 139.0 per cent for August, pushing the maker to becoming the fastest growing top 10 brand in the automotive industry, according to official VFACTS figures. Subaru took a gamble with the XV, stepping out of the square with its sharper looks over the soft-skinned majority of the segment and augmenting this with technology designed to take on conditions other soft-roaders could only dream about tackling. The second-generation XV comes in… Read more

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FIRST CHANCE TO SEE NEW HOLDEN COMMODORE

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Holden’s all-new Commodore will go on public display for the first time at Motorclassica, Australia’s premier classic and collector car exhibition. The eagerly awaited German-built Holden is crammed with the latest in technology and is driven by either a V6 to all four wheels, or a high-tech turbo-petrol four-cylinder connected to the front wheels. It will be greeted at Motorclassica by all eight generations of Australian-made Commodores. Motorclassica 2017 will also be marking 100 years since the first Holden-bodied car was made in Australia, almost three decades before General Motors… Read more

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LANCIA STRATOS

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1974 Lancia Stratos

The Lancia Stratos, an Italian sports car, was built especially to win motor rallies. It certainly wasn’t a practical car for everyday use – but it certainly could win rallies. It took the International Championship three times before changing parent-company policies sidelined it. Stratos was a very Italian car with many characteristics common to a number of other Italians: its electrics were unreliable, it was difficult to see out of, and its production figures were grossly exaggerated for homologation purposes. At the 1970 Turin Motor Show Bertone displayed a small… Read more

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FORD ECOSPORT 2013 – 2017

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Ford EcoSport is a small SUV built on the underpinnings of the Fiesta, but with a taller body, significantly more ground clearance and fascinating styling. Unlike some in this ever-expanding class no EcoSports are offered with all-wheel drive. EcoSport features bold wheelarches, 4WD-type sill protection and a high window line. Interestingly, there are traces of the Australian-designed Ford Territory in the shape of the wraparound rear window styling. Bold styling continues inside the cabin, with clever shapes for the centre console area and the binnacle of the instrument panel. Cost… Read more

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SUZUKI SWIFT’S SMOOTH TRANSITION TO MODERN MOTORING

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The latest Suzuki Swift displays the Japanese company’s history of engineering excellence with a particularly well-sorted drivetrain. Its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, mated with an excellent CVT, is a real delight to sit behind. Our test car, the Suzuki Swift GL Navigator with Safety Pack, provided seamless and seemingly effortless operation in almost all circumstances. STYLING The new Swift has taken on a more assertive look, especially up front, with a wide open radiator and lower bumper grille making a positive statement. Fenders add more muscle to a lower and wider… Read more

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FERRARI PORTOFINO: FIRST DETAILS

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Ferrari Portofino is the replacement for the long-running Ferrari California T convertible. More powerful, lighter and stiffer than its predecessor the Portofino features a turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 producing 600 horsepower (445 kW). Though it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds the sleek Portofino is aimed at the grand tourer market rather than being an out-and-out sports machine. With seating for four, though the two in the back will ideally be on the small and tolerant side, the big Ferrari convertible has a folding hardtop that… Read more